What's coming up in Season 2?? Magic in a glass!

How do you find a good glass of wine when you’re dining at a corporate restaurant like Hard Rock Cafe? We’ll decode the wine list, help you spot hidden gems and suggest the perfect pairing for a burger, a glass of wine and a blast of rock and roll. You'll learn the biggest difference between a corporate wine list and a curated wine list, how price points can influence perceptions on quality, whether to order a glass or a bottle, and finally, what to pair with the Legendary Burger!

Cheers to Nick Materese, Siema Wines, Alex Becker and Danielle Perdue of Hard Rock Cafe DC, Hard Rock World Burger Tour.

This week, everything's coming up Rosés! Zena and Renée welcome Renée's long-time friend Marquette Rogers to discuss his favorite style of wine. We're "pretty in pink" in this week's episode. Join us and discover why rosé is a perfect year round versatile wine. Pair it with food, friends or any given Tuesday. #roséallday #pinkiesdown

Cheers to Marquette Rogers, Hillinger Secco, Old Westminster Rosé, Haywater Cove Rosé, Château Minuty, Rose et Or, Graham Beck Brut Rosé NV, Underwood Rosé Bubbles.

Join Zena and Renée on a hot day at the beautiful Loew Vineyards. 5th generation winemaker, Rachel Lipman, talks about her remarkable family history in winemaking from Mead in the Hapsburg Empire to a dry sparkling red in Mount Airy, MD. Discover how the diverse climates in Maryland express a sense of place and legacy at Loew Vineyards.

Cheers to Rachel Lipman at Loew Vineyards,

Zena and Renée welcome the man, the myth, the Austrian Wine Legend, Klaus Wittauer for a full on deep dive on Austrian wines! Accounting for about 1% of the world's wine production, but responsible for some of most magical wines on earth, where else can you stay in the historic city where Beethoven wrote his 9th Symphony, which is also its own designated wine region, and within one hour you can reach all the wine regions in the country? Trust us, you're not drinking enough Austrian wines!

Cheers to Klaus Wittauer, Paul D, Josef Bauer, Anton Bauer, Netzl, Steininger.

For our first in a series on Virginia wines, Zena and Renée take a road trip to the astonishingly beautiful Glen Manor Winery in Front Royal, VA. Nestled beneath the epic views of Skyline Drive, and family owned for 4 generations, making it a Virginia certified "Century Farm", Glen Manor Winery is a true "glen". Surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains (elevation ranging from 1400 and 3400 feet above sea level) on three sides, Glen Manor's vineyards boast elevation changes from 1000 to 1400 feet above sea level. All of this combines to create a unique and perfect microclimate for growing grapes. Farm owner, vigneron and vintner, Jeff White, planted sauvignon blanc in 1995 and never looked back. We talk with winery manager and Certified Sommelier of the Master Court, Cassie Gonce and assistant vigneron and vintner, Nick Driscill, about how Glen Manor embodies Virginia's reputation of being rooted in tradition and defined by innovation, a bridge between old world and new world, and why family and a sense of place are the driving forces in the vineyard.

Cheers to: Cassie Gonce (and special guest, Alex), Nick Driscoll, Jeff and Kelly White and Denise (nap whisperer) and all at Glen Manor Vineyards.

"A Deep Dive into Flavors and Aromas aka is there bacon in my wine?" In this episode, we chat about the fascinating world of wine flavors and aromas — demystifying why your glass might smell like cherries, freshly cut grass, butter or cat’s pee.

Where Do These Aromas Come From? We break down how wine’s scents aren't added, but come from a mix of grape variety, fermentation, aging methods and terroir. From primary aromas of the varietal (fruity, floral, spice) to secondary aromas courtesy of fermentation and winemaker decisions (yeasty, buttery), and tertiary aromas derived from bottle aging (earthy, nutty, leathery, forest floor), it’s a full-on aromatic journey.

Grape Varietals and Signature Notes We give hints on how to recognize classic grape varieties and their aromas — like Sauvignon Blanc’s grassy notes, Pinot Noir’s red fruit and forest floor and Syrah’s black pepper. These aren’t just poetic descriptions — they’re chemical compounds similar to those found in everyday foods and spices.

How to Train Your Nose We give you insight on how to build your sensory vocabulary by smelling fruits, herbs and spices and encourage you to slow down, swirl, sniff and sip with curiosity rather than be intimidated

Big Takeaway Wine is more than a drink — it’s an experience rooted in memory, chemistry and personal perception. Understanding the science behind the aromas not only makes you a more informed drinker, but it also deepens your appreciation for each glass!

Cheers to: Holly Feraci, chief sommelier and national sales director at Barboursville Vineyard.

In this episode of Guy Talk, we’re sipping bold Amarone and getting real about wine. What do guys love about it? What do guys hate? We break down the stereotypes around men and wine drinking—because wine isn’t just for swirling and sniffing, it’s for enjoying. From boxed wine to pricy favorites, we talk about how wine culture is shifting and share tips on making it less intimidating for guys who just want a glass of wine. Plus, we share easy tips to help guys feel more confident around wine, whether ordering at a restaurant or bringing a bottle to a playoff game.

Forget the snobbery. Just sip, talk and learn with us. Hit play, grab a glass, and join the conversation.

Cheers to: Geoff Hartman, Begali 2020 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico.